Stump Grinding

When a tree is cut down, there will be a tree stump left. The question is what to do with the stump? 
When you hire a tree removal service to remove a tree the contract that you sign the price very seldom does it include removing the stump. If there is no way you cannot incorporate it into your existing landscape you will have to chip away at it until it is level with the ground. You do this by using a stump grinder, which you can rent for approximately one hundred to one hundred ninety dollars a day or hire a landscaper who charges by the size of the stump. For a twenty-four inch stump a landscaper will charge between ninety and one hundred fifty dollars. The stump grinder that you need to use is a power tool that is attached to a rotating cutting disk that will grind the tree stump into a bunch of small chips. This process is called stump grinding. The next question that arises is what to do with all of these little pieces of stump.

If waiting for a natural, organic decay is not an option due to any time constraints a homeowner may be facing, another possibility for stump removal is to use a commercial chemical to assist with the breakdown in a more expedient timeframe. Consistent applications according to the directions on the product can accelerate the breakdown process. Once the stump is soft enough, many attempt to remove it by burning it. However, there are several other considerations to bear in mind with this method.

Why Stump Removal?

Health & Safety: Perhaps the most important reason for it is to prevent accidents from occurring due to it. Kids who run around the yard may fail to see the stump and trip over it. A rotting tree stump also attracts insects and pests. That's fine if they are confined to your yard, but what's stopping them from making their way into your house?

Convenience: Tree stumps can get in the way of your daily activities. For example, when you're mowing, you have to maneuver your heavy lawnmower every time you encounter it. Accidentally bumping into it can also damage your lawnmower, so it makes sense to avoid this and get the stump removed. Root Pruning Services Auckland

Appearance: Unless your yard follows a specific wood-related theme, it's unlikely the decaying tree stump is adding to your landscape's aesthetics. Now that you're aware of what could happen when there's a stump in your home, let's take a look at the 3 effective ways you can remove tree stumps.

Digging

The manual way to remove tree stumps is by digging. As the method is as tiresome as it sounds, manual stump removal should be kept only for small stumps. The removal is done by digging around the tree to expose its roots. The roots are then axed off, making it easy for the stump to be levered out.

A great tool for this purpose is a mattock. A mattock has two different ends; the blunt end can be used to dig through the earth while the sharper end can cut through the roots as you dig.

Many homeowners abandon their removal and consult professionals to finish doing what they had originally started. Therefore, before you plan to dig the stump yourself, commit to the hard work that the job will take out of you.

Grinding

If you're seeking a quicker, less labor-intensive method of stump removal, grinding is your answer. Grinding, which uses a stump grinding machine, will also be suitable for bigger tree stumps as the process does not require you to lever out the stump.

What the stump grinder basically does is that it grinds back and forth on the surface on the stump until it is reduced to a level below the ground. You can also grind the roots peeking out from the stump as well as the earth mound that gathers around it.

Another great thing about stump removal via grinding is its ability to remove stumps in all kinds of places like nearby walls and paths. Stump grinders also come in different shapes and sizes to fit in with different situations. You can rent one at your local tool rental store or hire the services of professionals who will be much more effective.

Chemically

If you are a very patient being who can withstand waiting several months to years, choose to remove stumps chemically. This approach is also the least labor-intensive method and an economical one, making it a good option for those seeking to remove many at one go. Root Pruning Auckland

Evenly spaced holes are drilled into the stump, which are later filled with stump remover. Over time, the chemical accelerates the rate of decay and softens the wood. This softening allows you to easily axe the sponge-like stump away and remove it completely. Do note that older stumps tend to take less time to rot than younger tree stumps.

Mulch-before you can use the stump shavings for mulching you need to make sure that tree from which the shavings came from is not disease infested. Once you know that the tree is disease free you can use the shavings to make mulch. To make the mulch remove as much as you can from where the shavings are and take it to where you want to use it. Spread the wood chips over your soil in an inch layer. To get the best results you can add some of the stump grindings to the flowerbeds and rake them into the soil. This will give them time to decompose and increase the nutrients in the soil. If the stump grindings are from pine trees be careful how much you use as it can increase the acidity of the soil where it has been used as mulch. Too much acidity in the soil will make it hard for any plant to grow.